A Data Matrix symbol is a two-dimensional matrix barcode consisting of black and white "cells" or modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. The information to be encoded can be text or raw data.*
The length of the encoded data depends on the symbol dimension used. Error correction codes are added to increase symbol strength: even if they are partially damaged, they can still be read. A Data Matrix symbol can store up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters.*

Note:
There is no human readable text displayed with this type of symbology.

Data Matrix symbols can encode text in several different ways. Use the Encoding combo box to define the most appropriate encoding algorithm for the text you want to encode:

(Mixed): default setting. Enables encoding of the data using a combination of all the following encoding modes based on the type of data found. Normally this setting produces the best results.

Ascii: enables encoding of all of the 256 characters of the standard ASCII table. Produces the best results on numeric characters and ASCII values between 0 and 127.

C40: enables encoding of numbers, letters, and a few special characters. Best suited for alphanumeric codes with mostly upper case text.

Text: enables encoding of numbers, letters, and a few special characters. Best suited for alphanumeric codes with mostly lower case text.

X12: enables encoding of the characters included in the ANSI X12 set.

Edifact: enables encoding of ASCII characters ranging between 32 and 94. Included for backward compatibility, it is considered obsolete.

Base 256: specific encoding for byte data ranging between 0 and 255. By using this encoding algorithm it is possible to encode any value between 0x00 and 0xFF (decimal 0 ~ 255). In order to use this encoding you need to enter a string containing 2-digit hexadecimal values separated by a space: I.e.: 32 FA 56 E8 12 ... etc.

The Symbol size combo box enables you to enter the minimum symbol dimension. The Data Matrix architecture organizes data in a series of square or rectangular matrices, combined to represent the encoded data. The number of required matrices depends on the amount of data encoded.
Normally the symbol is generated with the lowest possible number of matrices needed to represent the encode data, but in some cases, it might be desirable to raise the minimum number of matrices drawn, to make sure that all printed symbols have the same size regardless of the amount of encoded data. For example, if you connect a Data Matrix barcode to the address field of a data source, it might be necessary for all symbols to have the same size, regardless of the single address length. In such a scenario, you will be able to define a minimum symbol size for all generated barcodes.

Data Matrix encoding:12345

With (Auto) symbol size

With 16x48 minimum symbol size

Text concatenation:
When a Data Matrix barcode element is generated by concatenating fields or counters, the following rules apply:
- Text contents must comply with the selected encoding algorithm.
- Text length must not exceed maximum capacity.
When a value not complying with the above rules is found, the barcode is not displayed.